civility
Americannoun
-
civilities
plural
-
courtesy; politeness.
- Synonyms:
- tact, amiability, affability
-
a polite action or expression.
an exchange of civilities.
-
Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.
noun
-
politeness or courtesy, esp when formal
-
(often plural) an act of politeness
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of civility
1350–1400; Middle English civilite < Middle French < Latin cīvīlitāt- (stem of cīvīlitās ) courtesy. See civil, -ity
Explanation
Civility is the act of showing regard for others by being polite, like the civility you showed in speaking kindly to someone who has hurt your feelings. Civility comes from the Latin word civilis, meaning "relating to public life, befitting a citizen," in other words, being friendly and nice to everyone. When you show civility, you use kindness and good manners. You are respectful, even if you do not like that person very much. Civility can also mean formal politeness, like your behavior at a fancy dinner.
Vocabulary lists containing civility
We the People: Civ
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"Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson
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John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His covert operation to sneak within the city walls was a betrayal of bedrock beliefs about honor and civility, a shameful act that brought humanity into a darker age.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
Jalen Brunson had offered a rare sighting of public civility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Vorderman's radio show was not on the "flagship" list and the issue with her posts was to do with civility, rather than impartiality.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
She added: “The lead dissent ignores ordinary principles of dignity and civility and demeans this court. Neither the parties nor the panel dissent found it necessary to invoke such crude and vitriolic language.”
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2026
Unused to such civility, I let him get a dozen paces down the road before I thought to reply.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Furthermore, the panel ignored half a century of declining institutional civilities.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 21, 2020
Try to imagine Trump in an Iowa living room, with a macaroon in one hand and cup of hot chocolate balanced on a knee, observing Midwestern civilities while talking about something other than himself.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 12, 2015
And a small diesel generator permits some civilities, like satellite Internet, allowing us to share our adventures in learning.
From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2012
David knows how to restrain himself, to conform to the little lies and surface civilities that allow society to function.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 25, 2010
They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s civilities.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
